A Matter of Scale

The full report is here https://landworkersalliance.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/matterofscale.pdf

A survey of 69 small, agroecological farms showed a diverse and vibrant sector, which attracts new entrants and incubates entrepreneurs. Many of the holdings were five hectares or less and, while some were focussed on horticulture, others were operating several different enterprises including eggs, meat and micro-dairy. Key findings include:

•Productivity data for 18 indicator vegetable crops showed small farm yields being higher than non-organic field-scale yields for those which benefit from more intricate husbandry and hand picking (e.g.salad  leaves,  French  beans,  kale leaf-beet  and  chard). At a  few  established market gardens vegetable yields weremuchhigher than average non-organic yields.

•The prevalence  of  integrated,  mixed  farms,  means  that  inputs  and  waste  are  reduced compared  to  monoculturefarms. Such diversity may also  lead  to  resilience,  by  spreading economic  risk,  improving  ability  to  cope  with  extreme  weather  and  increasing resistanceto disease.

•Despite low average net farm income levels, when compared to average UK farm incomes the ‘A Matter  of  Scale’  (AMOS)sample  were  performing  well  financially. 78% were  receiving no farm subsidies, and subsidies made up less than 20% of the income for 19% of those who were receiving subsidies.

•Most of  the  farms  were  adding  value  either  by  direct  marketing  or  processing  their  produce into  cheese,  juices  or  preserves. Vegetable box  schemes, farmers’markets  and  community supported  agriculture  schemes enable  better  incomes,  while  building  customer  trust  through provision of fresh and sustainably produced food.Many holdings supplemented income with off-farm employment, or had diversified by running courses, campsites or holiday lets.

•An average of 2.3full time equivalents work on each holding, with the average per ha being 3.2. This is much higher  than the mean  for  the  UK  of  0.026  annual  work  units  (AWU)  per hectare  (Eurostat  2011,  p. 5). Workers are  attracted  by  the  meaningful  nature  and  variety  of agroecological farm tasks. Despite this, labour issues were frequently mentioned as a limiting factor in increasing productivity.

•Other  barriers   to   productivity   included:lack   of   capital   to   invest   in   equipment   and infrastructure, meaning the efficiency of some holdings was less than optimal;affordability of land and accommodation;and lack of technology suitable for small scale farmers.

•Small farmers are highly motivated to provide environmental and social benefits. Care of the soil, water  and  biodiversity, reduction  of  greenhouse  gas  emissions,  as  well  as  provision  of public education about farming and the building of community were cited as multifunctional benefits generated by the farms.

Until now,  little  research  has  been  conducted  into  the  productivity  and  viability  of  small-scale, agroecological  farms  in  the  UK. This study  shows  that  they  deserve  closer  attention  by  both  policy makers  and  academics  as  they  simultaneously  address  many  of  the  challenges  facing  twenty-first century   food   production,   including   efficient   UK   provision   of   vegetables   and   fruit,   fulfilling employment opportunities, reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and food waste, and the re-building of rural communities.